I remember my Mum having the Beatrix Potter book collection, and I watched the animated TV series The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends as a kid. It was only years later I discovered this curious film featuring the well-known characters, performed in ballet, and I was unsure if it was going to be really strange or rather interesting. Basically, Beatrix Potter (Erin Geraghty) is seen as a little girl drawing animals and imagining them coming to life. Her imagination and iconic characters are depicted and performed by the Dancers of the Royal Ballet, telling the stories through expressive dance. Starring Sir Frederick Ashton, choreographer of the film, as Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Alexander Grant as Pigling Bland / Peter Rabbit, Julie Wood as Mrs. Tittlemouse, Ann Howard as Jemima Puddle-Duck, Michael Coleman as Jeremy Fisher, Wayne Sleep as Squirrel Nutkin / Tom Thumb, Sally Ashby as Mrs. Pettitoes / Tabitha, Bob Mead as Fox, Keith Martin as Johnny Townmouse, Garry Grant as Alexander, and Brenda Last as Black Berkshire Pig. I will be honest, I did giggle for the first few minutes, but slowly I realised it was to be taken seriously as a "passion project", it is simplistic with no dialogue and only the movement to tell you what is going on, some costumes are a little big for the dancers but are otherwise splendid, the dancing is good, and the score by John Lanchbery is lovely, not the sort of film I was expecting to kind of like, an alright musical. It was nominated the BAFTAs for Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design. Worth watching!
Review of The Tales of Beatrix Potter
